Prospective Student FAQ

I am interested in applying for WKPIC’s APA-accredited internship through the APPIC process.
Welcome! The bulk of this website is designed for you. Please peruse different tabs for additional information about our internship program, and visit our blog for additional information, the “flavor” of our training experience, and for application tips.

My program is not APA-accredited, and I would like to design an Ad-Hoc internship through WKPIC.
We appreciate your interest, but we do not currently accommodate non-traditional internships in psychology.

Is it possible to complete a practicum, externship, or Master’s level internship in psychology through WKPIC?WKPIC offers a limited number of advanced practicum opportunities for students in APA-approved clinical psychology or counseling psychology doctoral programs. We will also consider practicum students from Ed.D. programs, if previous clinical experience is sufficient. We can accommodate 1-2 students per 6-month period (Jan-June; July-December), depending on staff resources. Students must have at least 2 years in their current doctoral program, be able to demonstrate completion of previous practicum experience (at least 50 clinical/patient-contact hours), and provide references from clinical supervisors related to those prior practicum hours. WKPIC is not appropriate for students in a terminal master’s program in psychology, students seeking a first practicum, or students who have no demonstrable clinical experience hours. If you are an advanced psychology practicum student interested in gaining additional clinical experience with people who have severe, persistent mental illness in an inpatient setting, contact Dr. Redmond-Vaught via web email for further discussion.

I am completing a BSW or MSW from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)-Accredited program.Are there internship and practicum opportunities for me?
The Social Services Department at Western State Hospital accepts a limited number of social work interns pursuing BSW or MSW at accredited schools, depending on staffing and supervisory resources. Social work interns often attend WKPIC seminar offerings, so you may wish to peruse our seminar descriptions for a better understanding of your potential didactic experience here. We are happy to forward your email to Charlie Martin, LCSW, Western State Hospital’s Director of Social Services.

I am pursuing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, or a newer, broader mental health degree such as Public Health or Human Services. Can I get clinical experience throughWKPIC?Laura Porter, MS, Director of Recovery Services at Western State Hospital, accepts a limited number of students pursuing degrees in Therapeutic Recreation, as well as broader mental health degrees such as Public Health and Human Services. We are happy to forward your inquiry to her.

I am a nurse in an APRN program, and I would like to complete counseling/other experience hours at your site.
At this time, WKPIC psychologists provide APRN supervision hours in counseling only to current employees of Western State Hospital or Pennyroyal Mental Health Center.